Back to Search Start Over

Enhancing primary care psychology services with assistant psychologists in Ireland: An evaluation of output, throughput and stakeholder satisfaction.

Authors :
Wormald AD
Summerville S
McGinley M
Davoren N
Fortune DG
Source :
Health & social care in the community [Health Soc Care Community] 2022 Sep; Vol. 30 (5), pp. e2457-e2466. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Dec 19.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Primary care mental health services need to expand to assist the increased number of people reporting mild to moderate mental health difficulties. In Ireland, the primary care mental health service has been recently enhanced through the employment of Assistant Psychologists (AP) in primary care psychology. This paper provides an early and brief evaluation of the impact of the AP-enhanced model through a tripartite approach to evaluation which utilises measures of throughput, output and stakeholder satisfaction. We use data from two sources; Health service key performance indicators, and a routinely gathered minimal dataset of client measures. Results indicate that the numbers of clients seen in the period rose by 16%, that AP-delivered treatments are beneficial for clients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, and more than 80% of clients reported being 'totally satisfied' with the care received. The data provide early evidence that the AP model is beneficial in meeting clients' needs across a range of presentations within the service admission criteria, and that the AP-enhanced model may offer a satisfactory solution to primary care needs. However, further data collection is required, and additional stakeholder input is necessary for a complete evaluation of the assistant psychologist model in primary care.<br /> (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1365-2524
Volume :
30
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Health & social care in the community
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34927299
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13686